Whirlwind Weekend

First off, MOM'S HOME!!!

She got in on Sunday, and Dad drove to the airport to pick her up. I drove along with. When I saw her standing outside the terminal, my little doggy tail went absolutely wild!

Unfortunately, Snoufer couldn't see Mom until he got out of the hospital. Yep, that's right. He got hemorragic gastroentritis (HGE) and had to be put on IV fluids for 36 hours. He was so sad when he left! He wouldn't even play with me, and he just laid on the tile floor unmoving at the hospital. Dad was really scared, so I was working double-time on the Morale and Welfare. I missed him too. He's back now and just as spunky as ever!


Of course, he is a little more grumpy than usual, but that could be because he is embarrassed because his paw is shaved. He is a very vain Westie; he likes all his fur to be just so.


Of course, he's also got to take antibiotics to follow-up, which Dad gives him in peanut butter! Why can't I get sick?


Just kidding. I don't want that. Bloody diarrhea? No thank you. Besides, now Snoufer has to be on a bland diet, which Mom and Dad cooked up for him of rice and beef.


It can't be that bad, though, since Snoufer scarfs it down like crazy! Dad told me they're still not sure what caused it, but Snoufer got sick at about the same time that Dad started giving me gravy mix-ins in my food. I thought my food was disappearing rather quickly... The doctors say that it wasn't that that caused Snoufer to get sick, but it might have been a gastrointestinal trigger. So, the real punch line here is that I don't get gravy any more. NUTS!

An interesting side effect of this is that Dad and Mom are researching whole and/or raw foods for me and Snoufer. I'm so picky, and this experience has gotten them a little gun-shy on additives in mass-produced foods. Seeing how much Snoufer gobbled up even his bland diet of "real food", they think that might solve a lot of problems for us. Any suggestions from my pugfriends on this?

Mom had a great time on her vacation. She was visiting family in Michigan at a cottage on Upper Silver Lake (right by the Michigan sand dunes). They spent a lot of time fixing up the cottage for renters in the season coming up, but they had some time left over to fish:


To roast marshmallows over the fire on the beach:


And to go to a petting zoo:


I'm trying to figure out what this guy thinks he's doing...


When she was growing up Mom planted a tree in her backyard. Look how big it is now!


Next post I'll put up the pictures I promised of the Rennaisance Festival. Just to close this one out, I have here definitive proof that I really can read and type on my own, without any help from Dad.



So there. Pay no attention to the leg-like surface on which I am reading. It's nothing. Definitely not a human.

Oh! One more thing. I participated in the Christmas in July that Herbie, Nixon, and Fattie's mom organized, and I got Samantha and Mr. Tigger! I put together a goodie bag for them yesterday, and they sent mine out today! Mmmm, I can't wait! I am also participating in Project Dogway Week 2, so look out, all the competish! Updates on that as it happens.

So glad to be back!

Fifty Questions Friday

Hello everyone!

Since I pretty much have to do an all-text entry, and I was whining about not getting tagged for a meme earlier, I'm going to do the 50 questions one today. [happy bark]! Don't worry, this isn't an every Friday thing-- I just like the alliteration in the title.

1. Do you like blue cheese?
CHEEEEEEESE!!! Yummy cheese yummy cheese yummy cheese... The smellier, the better.
2. Have you ever smoked a cigarette?
Really, what kind of a question is that to ask a pug? My dad smokes a pipe and him and Mom often joke that with my love of sticks, I often look like I strut around with a "stogie" in my mouth.

Obligatory picture:


There. Y'all happy?

3. Do you own a gun?
Just the ones I have hidden under my skin folds. Let's see... AK-47, check. 20-gauge shotgun, check...
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
Dad's favorite: grape Sprite. Mom's favorite: banana blast. My favorite: anything they let me eat. I prefer the Sprite, though, because it comes with little puppy-sized ice bits.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
I'd rather not talk about that awful place. They stick sharp things in my skin and put gooey stuff on a stick and put it up my... I'll stop before it gets PG-13.
6. Do you like hot-dogs?
Oh yes! Especially those long-haired ones. Rrrrowrrr! What? Not that kind? Hmmm... I can't imagine what else you might mean.
7. Favorite Christmas Song?
I haven't had a Christmas yet. Thanks for rubbing it in. Snoufer says he gets really tired of "Carol of the Bells" that time of year.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
Water. That's all they give me. Can you believe it? Dad is a coffee fiend-- he has a part-time job at Starbucks, for goodness' sake.
9. Can you do push-ups?
Now why would I do any of those, when I can crawl under Dad when he's doing them? He laughs, his arms give up, and we wrestle/snuggle. Win win.
10. What’s your favorite meal?
One time, Mom and Dad gave me the Filet Mignon Ceaser meal. It was gone in 2.6 seconds.
11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?
I can't wear jewelry. Mom's underwear, though... What? Oh, PG-13. Right.
12. Favorite hobby?
"Helping" Mom while she scrapbooks or wraps presents. Wrapping paper is so much fun to tear!! And chewing. Everyone loves to chew.
13. Do you work with people who idolize you?
Pshaw. I am their world.
14. Name a trait that you hate about yourself?
I have really awkward, gangly long legs that splay out sideways when I run: I look like a spider getting electrocuted.
16. Middle name?
My mom says it's Ian. My dad says it's Ethan. I smell trouble bewing...
17. Name 3 thoughts at this moment:
My butt itches, I wish Dad would get air conditioning in the house, and I want to play-fight Snoufer. Charge!!!
18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday:
I had new soft food mix-ins bought for me yesterday, and some gravy, and a new chipmunk toy. Speaking of which... [offscreen squeaking]
19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Again with the drinks! I only drink water, and I only drink FRESH water. I refuse to drink stuff that's sat in the bowl for more than one hour. That's just the way I am.
20. Current worry right now?
I have no worries. I'm a pug. Dad is worried about how I'll do under anasthesia when I get a surgery soon. He won't say what it is, but I know it's got something to do with... down there...
21. Current hate right now?
I have no hates. I'm a pug. Oh wait-- Britney Spears. And Lindsey Lohan. And Paris Hilton. Yeah, Dad needs to get me a plush doll of them so I can cause some serious carnage.
22. Favorite place to be?
On the bed, curled up next to Mom and Dad.
23. How did you bring in New Years?
I slept. I was 3 days old; what do you expect?
24. Favorite place to go?
The Bear Creek dog park! Seriously, all Dad has to do is break out the harness and I go nuts.
25. Name three people who will complete this?
Anyone who reads it and feels like completing it. Great answer, huh?
26. Whose answer do you want to read the most?
Either Roxy's, Clover's, or Winston/Clementine's. I like all my pugfriends, but they like to talk back with me a lot. Plus, I heard that Daisy from Denver might have a bit of a crush on me...
27. What color shirt are you wearing?
Sadly, I only have one blue polo and I'm not wearing it right now.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Ooh yes! One of my first experiences at my new home were on satin sheets. I don't think Mom and Dad liked my puppy claws catching though, since I haven't seen them since.
29. Can you whistle?
I can snort. What more do you want?
30. Favorite color(s)?
I think I look smashing in blue, but red works as well. I love brightly-colored toys!
31. Would you be a pirate?
I'll have to take lessons from Pedro first. Rumor has it that there is a picture of Snoufer dressed up as some guy named Sparrow who was a pirate. Maybe I can track that down...
32. What songs do you sing in the shower?
The saddest and most mournful songs I can think of, interspersed with the occasional angry song. I hate the shower.
33. Favorite girl’s name?
Mom and Dad love "Jeniva". I like "Veronica"... *sigh*
34. Favorite boy’s name?
Mom and Dad don't want kids, so they gave me the name they liked as my middle name. Remember? Ian/Ethan? But I don't want to start a whole thing here, so I'll move on.
35. What’s in your pocket right now?
I have pockets?!
36. Last thing that made you laugh?
When Dad slipped and fell on the linoleum yesterday. I licked his face and sneezed on him, but inside I was cracking up.
37. Bed sheets as a child?
I slept on a hand-crocheted afghan. It was so soft... Mmmm....
38. Worst injury you’ve ever had?
I am a tank. I don't get injured. Our backyard is filled with a Colorado native plant, though, that has prickly burrs that get stuck in your paw. I get those at least once a week. They bite.
39. Do you love where you live?
ARE YOU KIDDING?! Colorado scenery, lots of backyard to run around in, a big brother to bite, a Dad to wrestle with, a Mom to snuggle with, and tons of spoiling with toys and the best food. Of course!
40. How many tv’s are in your house?
We have two. Dad spends a lot of time in front of the downstairs one (especially with it so hot). When I hear it turn off, I immediately wake up and go upstairs. It's like clockwork.
41. Who is your loudest friend?
Snoufer. He barks at EVERYTHING outside. I keep telling him that the people walking outside our fence can't get in, but he doesn't listen.
42. How many dogs do you have?
I own two humans, Stephanie and Spencer. I hang out with my brother, Snoufer the Westie.
43. Does someone have a crush on you?
Hopefully Veronica. But this Daisy pug sounds pretty sweet too. Maybe I'll have to run into her at a pug meetup sometime in Denver...
45. What is your favorite book?
Wow. You're going to make me pick one, aren't you? I'll compromise: I'll pick three. Pride and Prejudice, Far From the Madding Crowd, and Les Miserables. Oh. And Lord of the Rings.
46. What is your favorite candy?
Frosty Paws!!!
47. What is your favorite sports team?
The Broncos, Bears, and Cubs. We live in Colorado, and Mom and Dad are both from Illinois, so I'm kinda stuck with them. But Dad's made me the mascot and namesake for his Fantasy Football team-- PugNation. Go me!
48. What song do you want played at your funeral?
"Another Pug Bites the Dust"
49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night?
Chasing the giant bone in the sky. I could fly, too. And I had super-powers.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning?
[Yawn] Alright, time to wake up Dad with kisses!

Wow. Be careful what you wish for, eh? That was a grueling procedure. Hope you liked it!

Mom comes home Sunday!!!

Thoughtful Thursday

Hello!

I am taking an idea from my good friends Napoleon and Rukia and am going to do a literary review today. I like the idea a lot, so I might do it regularly as a nice change of pace from seeing pictures of me plastered all over everywhere. Besides, who doesn't like to read?!

A little bit of background first: Mom and Dad LOVE to read. But, they really don't like much of anything that is "modern" (Harry Potter being a notable exception). They have an enormous collection of classic books and read them pretty much exclusively. Dad sits in his "Papa Chair"-- the big comfy chair in the living room that I like to poop behind-- and I sit on top of it and read over his shoulder. Yes, I can read. But don't tell my humans. They have the usual canine prejudice, thinking we can't understand human language, but I find it's quite useful. It can get me out of sticky situations. But I digress...

Rather than focus on one book today as the first post of this kind, let me tell you a bit about my literary tastes. I like English literature the most, Russian literature second, and French literature third. I am ambivalent about American literature-- it's pretty hit-or-miss with me there. Spanish literature seems to me to have many of the flaws of French literature with few of its benefits. Eastern (i.e., Indo-Chinese, Arabic) I haven't read enough of to judge, but I don't really get into what I have read. African is intriguing enough that I want to read more. The "Big Three," however, are still my favorite.

English literature is so delicious. Whether its a comedy of manners (Austen, Wilde) or a pastoral romance (Hardy, Wharton), a social drama (Bronte, Forster) or a social critique (Lawrence, Dickens), I love them all! I also really get into the more fringe genres, such as mystery (Chesterton, Doyle), poetry (Milton, Donne), and science fiction (Wells). More than anything else, I just love the sophisticated and sensible air that permeates all English literature. Even (perhaps especially) when the book is poking fun at that very thing! Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, and D. H. Lawrence are my favorites here. I read these in a "Puddy" mood.

Russian literature is my "Glummy" mood fare. The characters are so intense, fiery, and tragic. The backdrop is often bleak and morose, but the interesting thing is that it is not nihilistic. It still retains hope, often in the face of contradiction. That, I think, is what is so intriguing about Russian literature to me. Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, and Anton Chekhov are my favorites here.

French literature is a bit of an enigma to me, and its unpredictable nature is probably why it is in the "Big Three" for me. It ranges everywhere from intimate tragedies (Flaubert) to multi-volume episodic novels (Proust, Balzac), from pure adrenaline adventure (Orczy, Dumas) to sweeping historical epic (Hugo, Stendhal). There also is an absence of one defining style among the disparate genres, like there is in English literature. I love the passion of the characters and the way the writing sweeps you into the world so thoroughly. Hugo, Dumas, and Flaubert are my favorites.

Maybe you can see now why I like reading so much! Besides giving me time to hang out with Dad, it really is something I deeply enjoy and recommend to all my puggy friends out there. Don't get me wrong-- I love watching movies just like everyone else. I just appreciate the depth and richness of books as well. They're not just for chewing, I promise.

And just to end things on a light note-- Do any of your humans think you sit bizarrely? My Mom and Dad think I do.

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

Hey everyone!

Since I can't put up pictures, I sifted through my old ones and found a couple of videos from when I was a little puppy and first meeting Snoufer. Enjoy!

I got an award! Well, nominated at least...

I got nominated for an award! Yeah!

Punchy, Chloe, Zoe, Rosy, and Marty nominated me for the Brilliante Weblog Award:


Which I think is brilliant(e?), because Mom used to be in pageants when she was in college, and she was in the Mrs. Colorado pageant this year. I saw her practice her "I won! face" in front of the mirror when she thought no one was looking, and I watched the Oscars this year, so I think this is what you do?...

Oh. Oh. *wave paw in front of face* Oh. *tear up more than usual* Thank you all so much! *hug the nearest loser* YOU made this happen! YOU all are the real winners! *quickly hog the microphone*

Let's see...

1. Put the link to whomever nominated you on your blog: CHECK
2. Show the picture: CHECK
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs: DOWN BELOW
4. Link to those blogs: STILL DOWN BELOW
5. Leave the nominees a message: DONE AND DONE

So... *pawroll* the nominees are:

Louise the Pug
Bajas the Cyberpug
Winston, the Grand Duke of Pugsworth (and The Stray AKA Cosette)
Raoul (AKA "The Mayor")
Ronin the Pug
Pugsley, the Lovely Lady Pug
Pyrite the Pug

I've checked; I don't think any of them has been nominated before. If they have, I'm sorry! I'll fix it, just let me know.

So let the celebration begin!

Now if only I can get tagged for a meme...

Oh. My. Gosh.

Wowsie! I have had a very trying past week or so, so I first of all apologize to everyone for disappearing off the face of the earth!

Here's what happened.

Sunday July 27th: Mom and Dad took me to the Renaissance Festival in Larkspur for a jam-packed day of fun and food! I will put up pictures and a full description when Mom gets back. Speaking of which...

Tuesday July 29th: Mom left for Michigan to stay with her family at their cottage on Upper Silver Lake. And she is going to be gone for two weeks! She comes back Sunday August 10. I am very very sad. When she left, I sat at the door and whined under my breath for a good 30 minutes. Also, on the first day after she left, I tore up a pair of Dad's shoes while he was at work. I NEVER DO THAT! I was just so upset, I had to gnaw something. So now, I have to stay in the crate during the day. Which means I can't get to the computer. Which means nothing happens for a while on my blog.

There have been a couple of side effects of Mom leaving. First off, she took the camera with her, so there will be no more pictures until she gets back. Sorry everyone! Secondly, I have to keep Dad company a lot when he gets back from work because... well, that's my job. Besides, he's really bummed that Mom is gone. He told me that they've been married just long enough to get used to each other being there, and yet not long enough to get sick of each other. So, he's really kinda been out of it the past week. Finally, I've missed her too, so I've picked up some bad habits. In addition to chewing up Dad's shoes, I started to go to the bathroom in the house more and also have started to climb up on the dining room table and grab stuff that's up there. That's not all bad, though: I got an asiago cheese bagel out of it two days ago!

To cope with Mom being gone, Dad has alternately snuggled with Snoufer and I and watched a movie or worked like crazy. Mom left him a to-do list of stuff, so he's been busy with that, but he's also taken us out to places. Speaking of which:

Saturday August 2: We had Pug Club at the dog park! It was BLAZING hot-- the day before set a record for Colorado Springs (99 degrees!)-- so we didn't stay long, but I had lots of fun meeting new pug friends! There was a big stocky fawn named Roscoe who liked to chase tennis balls; I can run faster than him, so I beat him usually. There was a skinny fawn named Romeo who might even put me to shame for how energetic he is! There was also a black female named Gina who was there... but no Veronica. *sigh* Maybe I'll see her again someday. And then there were 4 puppies as well! One was only 12 weeks old-- she crawled right into Dad's lap. I could tell he melted then; maybe I can use this as leverage to get a female pug in the house. Dad's got a soft spot for the ladies, and we are one of the VERY few families with only one pug in the house. You know what they say about us: you can't buy just one! The others were about 18-20 weeks old. I had fun with one of them-- finally, someone I can play with who is smaller than me! I slept for the rest of the day after that.

Sunday August 3: Dad took us to a place called Nosh here in Colorado Springs that has a Puppy Pool Party on Sundays. It's this outdoor bistro with a fenced-in area next to a downtown park that dogs can roam around in and meet/greet while the humans eat. Don't worry: they provide doggie treats for us, and kiddie pools to splash in (No, I still am not a fan of water-- I didn't get in), and they give you a bandanna afterwards! I've decided I like big dogs. I hung out with a Weimeraner and a Rottweiler a lot that day.

Backtracking a bit...

Thursday July 31st: I got my last shot. I am officially set! Now comes the big decision. Dad and Mom like the way I look so much they want to find a lady Beagle and, as they put it, "make Puggles." I'm not sure what that means exactly, but I think I'm starting to get it. I've been feeling wierd lately-- increased energy, awkward body, deeper bark, increased protective instinct... And I find that I like big furry toys. A LOT. Anyway, Mom and Dad are having a bit of a moral dilemma, because they have been told by several friends and Petsmart people not to find me a lady, because there are a lot of dogs who get put to sleep due to overpopulation. Complicating the issue, I have a baby tooth that just won't fall out, so now I'll have to get it extracted, which means anesthesia and big bucks if it's not already part of another procedure. I'm a little nervous as to what kind of procedure they would do that would put me to sleep (temporarily), but I trust my parents to do what's best. If only they knew what that was... So that's adding to Dad's stress level a lot. He would certainly like help from all the Pugverse if they want to give it!

So as you can see, it's been both a busy and an emotionally full past week or so! Now I have to get back to my Morale and Welfare job, so I will sign off and give written updates as they happen!

The Melting Pot

OK. So Dad is mean. Today, he told me all about what The Melting Pot was like last night-- remember? That place where he took Mom for their anniversary. And it sounds soooooooo good. And he didn't take me. Or bring anything home. Gggrrrrrrr...

Apparently it is awesome. Mom and Dad had a booth off in the corner, with flowers ready at their table. The lighting was really low and the music was the same kind that Mom and Dad had at their wedding-- Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr.: all those guys. So they felt right at home. They got this four-course meal which started off with cheese fondue and bread (3 kinds), apple slices, and vegetables to dip it in. CHEESE! So yummy... Then they got a salad. Mom got a house salad, and Dad got a California salad-- gorgonzola crumbles, rasberry vinagrette, field greens, chopped nuts on top. Then, they got the main course. Just a second.

[sound of chomping and scarfing, punctuated with much snorting]

Sorry about that. Before I embarked on the main course, I had to eat something myself. It sounded so yummy. Mom and Dad got a plate of pork, shrimp, filet mignon, chicken, sirloin, and cheese ravioli. They cooked it all in a burgundy sauce with mushrooms and garlic, then dipped it in 10 different sauces! I'll spare you the details of THOSE. Mom said she was pretty full by this point, but that was before the dessert-- a dark chocolate and marshmallow mix, with Oreo cookies and white chocolate shavings. They could dip cheesecake, brownies, marshmallows, pound cake, or strawberries in that! I don't know much about the chocolate; I can't eat that stuff. But Mom was going nuts over how good that part was, so she must have enjoyed it.

Dad also had a three-course wine selection he picked out. For the cheese and salad he had a Chateau St. John Gewurtztraminer, the entree a Mirassou Pinot Noir, and the dessert a 1997 Taylor Fladgate vintage Port. Mom is so-so on wine (not like Dad-- he's obsessed!), so she had a banana daquiri and a Godiva white chocolate martini.

So that was their anniversary. I'm glad they had fun; Dad had better just pick something next year where I can go too. I still love them, though. And just to prove it, here are some pictures from their wedding, to celebrate their anniversary. These were taken by one of the attendants, not the professional photographer. If anyone wants, they can visit HER website here. The pictures from Mom and Dad's wedding aren't there anymore, but it still shows how good of a photographer she is. So here are the non-professional pics.


Mom and Dad walking down into the reception.


Mom and Dad eating their cake. Unfortunately, that was the only piece of cake they ever got to eat from their wedding! Too many people to see, and then they forgot the top of the cake in their suite.


Mom and Dad and some of their guests dancing.


Mom dancing with Grandpa


Mom dancing with Dad


Mom with Great-grandpa (Grandma's dad). He just died this past April.


Mom and Dad with Grandma and Grandpa (Dad's mom and dad)


And finally, THE TABLE! So much wrapping paper...

And finally finally, a picture of Snoufer and I because... well, this is my blog!